Spray device



N. P. GREEN SPRAY DEVICE July 12, 1938.

Filed Jan. 3, 1938 FIG. I.

FIG.4.

FIGZ.

Patented July 12, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPRAY DEVICE Nathaniel P. Green, University City, Mo.

Application January 3, 1938, Serial No. 183,061

5 Claims.

This invention relates to spray devices, and with regard to certain more specific features, to nozzles for spraying water or other liquids.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a spray nozzle which is adapted to produce a hollow cone-shaped spray of water or other liquid from a supply of the liquid at a relatively low pressure, and with a minimum of energy consumption from the liquid; the provision of a spray nozzle of the class described which embodies a minimum number of obstructions to free flow of the liquid passing therethrough; the provision of a spray nozzle oi. the class described which is substantially entirely free from any clogging as from particles of solid matter in the stream of liquid; the provision of a spray nozzle of the class described which provides a conical spray of substantially uniform thickness around its periphery; and the provision of a spray nozzle of the class described which is relatively simple in construction and operation. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of. construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is illustrated one of various possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. l is a side elevation of a spray nozzle embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the nozzle of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section taken substantially along line 33 of. Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross section taken substantially along line |-4 of Fig. 1; and,

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

The present invention relates principally to nozzles used in connection with industrial sprays, such as sprays for the purpose of cooling condenser water, or the like. However, the nozzle of the present invention is also useful in connection with domestic uses, such as lawn spraying.

A cone-shaped spray is ahighly eflicient one for obtaining maximum cooling effect on the water or other liquid being sprayed. Many nozzles and like devices have heretofore been provided for the purpose of obtaining a cone-shaped spray, but these are all subject to one or more objections. For example, in many of. the priorart nozzles, a large amount of pressure is needed on the water being sprayed in order to obtain a cone-shaped spray of any useful diameter. In many industrial installations, it is diflicult, or at least expensive, to provide the necessary pressure for this purpose.

The present invention is designed upon hy- 10 draulic principles, in order to obtain a coneshaped spray with a minimum consumption of energy from the moving liquid to be sprayed. By reason of its minimal consumption of energy, the present invention can satisfactorily 15 be used to obtain cone-shaped sprays of useful diameter, with a. liquid pressure, or head, much less than prior analogous spray nozzles.

In order to obtain a hollow cone-shaped spray, it is necessary to subject the moving stream of water, or other liquid, to a combination of forces, comprising a centrifugal force perpendicular to the axis of the cone, and a secondary force parallel to the axis of the cone. In order to utilize these forces at maximum efficiency, the nozzle of the present invention is shaped according to the shape naturally assumed by a whirling mass of liquid under the laws of gravitation and centrifugal force. This shape, it can be proved mathematically, is that of a paraboloid of revolution, and I accordingly make the confining surface of my nozzle in the shape of a paraboloid of revolution, as pointed out hereinafter.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, numeral I indicates the body, or nozzle proper, of the spray device of the present invention. The inside of the body I is hollowed out, as indicated at numeral 3, the shape of the hollow recess being that of a paraboloid of revolution. The outer shape of the body i is immaterial from the functional standpoint, but it is usually convenient, and economical, to make it likewise of the shape of. a paraboloid of revolution. The walls of the recess 3 of the body i are smooth, except for a bead 5, the significance of which will be more fully explained hereinafter.

Extending sidewardly from the body I is a water inlet 1, terminating in a suitable coupling device such as the interiorly threaded socket indicated by numeral 9. It will of course be understood that other types of coupling means are interchangeable for the screw-threaded coupling means 9. The inlet 1 is interiorly shaped to provide a passage ii, which is of tapered form and which connects with, or intersects, the recess 3 in the body I at an opening l3, in a manner such that water flowing in through the passage H enters the recess 3 tangentially thereto. While, as indicated in Fig. 5, it is preferred that the opening I 3 be of generally rectangular shape, this is not essential, and said opening 3, and the consequent cross section of the passage ll, may be varied widely.

The outlet of the nozzle comprises the upper or truncated edge l5 of the body I.

The bead 5, hereinbefore mentioned, is a slight protrusion from the surface of the inner wall of the recess 3 of the nozzle. It preferably commences just above the opening l3, and preferably extends about 270 around the wall of the chamber 3, remaining at the same horizontal level. The bead 5 aids in maintaining a uniform distribution of water in the resulting conical spray, around the periphery of the cone.

In operation, liquid enters the spray device through the inlet I, and passes through the passage to be delivered into the paraboloidal recess 3 tangentially thereto. By reason of the velocity of the flow," the water in the chamber 3 is forced into a powerful whirling action. As additional water enters through the passage II, it forces the water already in the chamber 3 to rise and be discharged past the edge [5. At the moment of its discharge, the water is being subjected to a horizontal force resulting from the centrifugal action of the whirl, and a vertical force resulting from the injection of additional water into the chamber 3. The relative amounts of these two forces determine the direction of the resultant force, and consequently the angle at which the spray cone will have its apex. This angle can be varied by changing the size of the inlet or the mathematical equation of the paraboloid of revolution. In a device having the dimensions shown in the drawing, for example, the apex angle of the cone of the spray is ordinarily about 50, as indicated in Fig. 1.

The rib 5 is positioned in such manner as to prevent excessive water from being discharged from the nozzle in the region immediately opposite the inlet opening l3. If this rib 5 is not present, there is a tendency for the distribution of water around the cone of the spray to be nonuniform, with a greater quantity of water being discharged immediately opposite the opening l3. Under some circumstances, this non-uniform discharge is not objectionable, and the rib 5 is consequently not an essential-part of the invention to this extent. I H

A nozzle of the size and shape shown in the drawing is capable of handling about five and one-half gallons of water per minute, under an eight-foot head. Under these conditions, it will form a uniform hollow conical spray, which is in the form of a solid sheet of water to a distance of about four inches from the edge of the nozzle, and which, after then breaking up into droplets, is further projected so that its maximum traverse is a circle considerably larger in diameter. From these figures it will be seen that the nozzle of the present invention is extraordinarily efllcient in its spraying characteristics, as compared with prior spray nozzles designed for analogous uses.

From the general construction of the nozzle as thus described, it will be seen that it is almost entirely free from any possibility of clogging, due to the inclusion in the water of particles of solid material. This is because there are no narrow openings, orifices, obstructions or the like against which the solid particles are likely to lodge. In the extreme instance, a collection of particles may become established in the bottom of the recess 3, but this can readily be cleaned out at intervals with a brush or other such device, inserted through the large-diameter open end l5 of the nozzle.

While the present spray nozzle has its chief use in connection with the spraying of water, and has been so described, it will be readily seen that it is likewise adapted for the spraying of any other liquid.

In general, the nozzle forming the subject of the present invention can be made economically by casting it from a metal such as bronze or the like. However, the nozzle may be forged, machined, or otherwise formed, all within the scope of the present invention.

In view of the above it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the. above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A spray nozzle comprising a body having a recess therein, the recess having the shape of a paraboloid of revolution, and means for admitting liquid laterally to the said recess, tangential- 1y to the walls thereof.

2. A spray nozzle comprising a body having a recess therein, the recess having the shape of a paraboloid of revolution, and means for admitting liquid laterally to the said recess, tangentially to the walls thereof, the discharge outlet being circumscribed by the edge of said recess.

3. A spray nozzle comprising a body, said body having a recess therein, said recess having the shape of a paraboloid of revolution, and a passage in said body for admitting liquid tangentially to the walls of said recess.

4. A spray nozzle comprising a body, said body having a recess therein, said recess having the shape of a paraboloid of revolution, and a passage in said body for admitting liquid tangentially to the walls of said recess, at a point spaced 

